Julie Chen

Some things never change. The jocks ruled the “school” on the first night of “Big Brother 11″ and Walnut Creek’s buffed-up Russell Kairouz played a key role in the smackdown. As explained by host Julie Chen (The Chenbot), “Big Brother” has taken on a high school theme this season, dividing its contestants into stock cliques: The popular kids, the offbeats, the brains and the athletes. Russell, a 24-year-old mixed martial arts fighter fell into the latter clique, along with Natalie and Jeff. For the season’s first challenge, the house mates were all hung up with underwear and wedgie’d (Ouch!). One by one, the contestants all succumbed to the painful butt-flossing until only Russell and Natalie remained suspended in the air. That meant the athletes captured immunity for the week.

It also meant that Jessie (pictured) — the mountain of muscle from last season — was revealed as the mystery 13th house guest and also became Head of Household as a member of the athletes.

During the wedgie competition, Jessie waited off stage, along with three past contestants –Jessica (popular kids), Brian (brainiacs) and Cowboy (offbeats) — to see who would get another shot at “Big Brother” glory.

“Big Brother” continues on CBS on Sunday and the first elimination is set for next Thursday.

A brash and buffed-up Walnut Creek man will be among the 13 houseguests of “Big Brother 11” when the popular reality TV series returns to CBS next week. Russell Kairouz, 24, known to his friends as “Russell the Love Muscle,” joins a group of total strangers in the “Big Brother” house, where their every move is continuously watched by prying cameras. A short biography released on Wednesday by CBS describes Kairouz as a commercial real-estate broker who also engages in mixed martial arts.

Kairouz is “certain to be a favorite in the ‘Big Brother’ house,” the bio claims. “Loud and brash, Russell holds nothing back and is always ready for a fight.”

Oh great — just what “Big Brother” needs: More fights. Interesting that the cast also includes a female Tae Kwon Do champion. Will the sparks fly?

The bio goes on to explain that Kairouz’s biggest pet peeve is “people who don’t think before they act, but only because he’s made mistakes while doing just that. In college, he was in a motorcycle accident while trying to impress a group of girls. The crash left him temporarily paralyzed and it took six surgeries to get him back into fighting form.”
Kairouz, who is single, has previously lived in Southern California and Lebanon. He will be hoping to avoid eviction and claim the “Big Brother” cash prize.

Among the 11 other roommates announced by CBS were a neuroscientist, a special effects makeup artist and a bikini model. The identity of a 13th “mystery houseguest” will be announced at a later date.

“Big Brother 11” launches its season July 9 (7 p.m., Channel 13; 8 p.m., Channel 5) whith host Julie Chen (or the Chenbot) again presiding. For more information on the houseguests, log on to www.cbs.com.

CBS announced today the identities of the 13 houseguests who will compete in “Big Brother 10,” including a 75-year-old great grandfather and a 27-year-old Bay Area representative from San Francisco..

And to celebrate 10 seasons of “Big Brother,” the show’s producers say they’re going “old school” and returning to the original concept of the show. “All 13 Houseguests have no prior relationship â€” they are not exes, nor secret couples,” said executive producer Allison Grodner. “We are also excited to have the most diverse group we have ever assembled. They range in age from 22 to 75, come from all walks of life, and have distinct points of view.”

“Big Brother 10″ will debut on CBS at 8 p.m. Sunday, July 13. Following the premiere, “BB 10″ will be broadcast three nights weekly, on Sundays (8 p.m.), Tuesdays (9 p.m.) and the live eviction show, hosted by Julie Chen, Wednesdays (8 p.m.).

This morning, CBS revealed the identities of the 16 Houseguests who will compete in the latest edition of “Big Brother,” which kicks off Feb. 12 — the same night “Jericho” premieres. It’s the first time the cast has been made up entirely of single people. It’s also the largest collection of houseguests in “Big Brother” history.

When this group of 16 singles enters the house, they will be told they are being matched up with their “soul mate,” a stranger who may prove to be their “true love or their worst nightmare,” according to the CBS release.Â Whether there is a love connection or not, once paired up, the houseguests’ life in the game depends on their partner.Â They must strategize, plot and scheme together as a couple for a chance at the prize.Â They’ll live together as a couple, meaning they will sleep in the same bed, hold Head of Household as a couple, be nominated for eviction as a pair, and if the time comes, say their goodbyes together upon eviction.

Usually, “Big Brother” is tucked away safely in the summer, but because of the writers’ strike, it will now air in the winter for the first time and will be broadcast three nights a week. Julie Chen returns as host.